Provincially, topsoil moisture conditions have increased compared to the previous week due to rainfall. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent surplus, 72 per cent adequate, 23 per cent short and three per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 61 per cent adequate, 30 per cent short and eight per cent very short.
East-Central Saskatchewan:
·Crop District 5 – Melville, Yorkton, Cupar, Kamsack, Foam Lake, Preeceville and Kelvington areas
·Crop District 6A – Lumsden, Craik, Watrous and Clavet areas
Very little in-crop spraying is taking place due to strong winds and rain throughout the region this past week; this is allowing weeds to establish themselves and pose the risk of outcompeting crops. Producers are hoping to get a good window to spray before their crops are too large.
Most of the east-central region received some rainfall over the weekend, but reporters have indicated that more is needed to progress crop development and sustain pastures.
The Craven area received the most rain with 70 mm. The Bulyea are received 69 mm, the Rhein area 67 mm, the Esterhazy and Jedburgh areas 60 mm, the Semens and Pelly areas 52 mm and the Meacham area nine mm.
The rain received this past week improved topsoil moisture conditions in the region. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 71 per cent adequate, 27 per cent short and two per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated 55 per cent adequate, 34 per cent short and eleven per cent very short.
Crop development is on track for the region with 79 per cent of the pulse crops, 77 per cent of the fall cereals, 76 per cent of the spring cereals and 58 per cent of the oilseed crops are at their normal stages of development for this time of year. Canola is slightly behind due to the cooler temperatures earlier in spring and the dry conditions.
Crop conditions range from fair to good in the region, with 71 per cent of the spring wheat, 58 per cent of the lentils and 44 per of the canola being in good condition at this time.
The majority of crop damage this week was due to strong winds, dry conditions, flea beetles and gophers which have left isolated bare patches in some fields.
Provincially, heavy localized rainfall resulted in occasions of flooding and water pooling in low areas of some fields across the province. With the rain came extremely strong winds in some regions as well, resulting in damage to or loss of bins, buildings and crops. Areas of the province that only saw wind and no rain are becoming concerned about dry conditions.
North-east of Old Wives Lake saw the largest localized rain shower, resulting in approximately 208 mm over the course of a few hours, causing road wash outs, flooding, filling of sloughs and dugouts and some crop damage. Other areas that saw large amounts of rainfall this week include Big Beaver with 127 mm, Frobisher with 111 mm and Moosomin with 110 mm. The south-east received the most rainfall over the week but rain was general throughout all regions of the province.
There were reports of localized flooding in areas that received a lot of rainfall in a short amount of time. Winds have also delayed many producers from being able to spray, but they have been busy spraying for weeds and insects as wind conditions and crop stages allow.
Provincially, 78 per cent of pulse crops, 76 per cent of spring cereals, 70 per cent of fall cereals and 66 per cent of oilseed crops are at their normal stages of development for this time of year.
Crop conditions across the province mostly range from fair to good. With the recent rains, producers are hopeful that conditions will improve.
In general, emergence of earlier seeded crops is good, but the lack of moisture and wind in some fields has reduced germination of canola and has resulted in spotty emergence. Areas where germination was very poor might be reseeded if conditions allow, now that soil moisture is ample.
Certain parts of the province that did not see much rainfall last week saw damage from dry soil conditions. Other damage that was reported this week was from flea beetles, gophers and some first signs of seedling diseases.
Producers have been busy spraying for weed and insect control as wind conditions and crop stages allow. Reseeding from dry conditions and insect damage, specifically in canola fields, has also been reported and some producers are finishing up seeding green feed.
A complete, printable version of the Crop Report is available online at https://www.saskatchewan.ca/crop-report.
Follow the 2021 Crop Report on Twitter at @SKAgriculture.
